Buckle



(ModeL) W. B. HAYDEN.

BUCKLE.

No. 257,700. Patented May-9, 1882'.

A UNITED STATES;

PATENT OFFICE,

WILLIAM HAYDEN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO.

BUCKLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 257,700, dated May 9, 1882,

Applicationfiled a in'aisen. (Model) r To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM B. HAYDEN,

a citizen of the United States-residing at Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented newand useful Improvements in Buckles, of which the followin g is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in iron harness-buckles which are composed of side pieces connected at their ends by flattened cross-bars, the side pieces being joined at or near their center by a cross-pin carrying the pivoted tongue. These buckles are usually made of cast metal of a single piece, excepting the tongue, and as heretofore constructed the inner edge of the front-end cross-bar is substantially square, or hasupper and lower edges, which cut or greatly wear or abrade the strap when forcibly drawn through the-buckle-frame to adjust it fromhole to hole, whereit is engaged by the pivoted tongue and held in position. This cutting of the'strap is usually due to the fact that in order to tighten up when in use the free end thereof is tightly drawn, which bends the strap abruptly around the inner edge of the front cross-bar, in con sequence of which the lower and upper edges of the inner portion of the said cross-barofl'er a cutting or abrupt sharp edge to the movement of the strap and act to cut or disfigure the latter, which is a very serious and objectionable feature where the outer face of the strap is of tine leather or, ornamented with stitches and otherwise.

The object of my invention isto avoid such objectionable feature in iron harness buckles; and to this end'the invention consists in extending the inner edge of the front cross-bar in a-downward direction below the'plane of the under side of the cross-bar in the form of a transverse rounded rib or swell, which provides a smooth depending and rounded hearing for the strap in drawing it through the buckle-frame for the purpose of adjusting the strap from hole to hole with respect to the .usual' pivoted locking-tongue of the buckle,

the upper and inner edge of the front crossbar being also uniformly curved and terminating or vanishing in the said depending rib or swell-hearing, so that no abrupt or sharpened edges whatever are opposed to the movement of the strap in drawing it through the buckleframe.

My invention is fully illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View, looking at the bottom or under side of a buckle provided with my invention; Fig. 2, a longitudinal sectional view thereof, and Fig. 3. a longitudinal sectional View of a modified form of buckle.

The buckle shown in Figs. 1 and 2 to illustrate my invention is composed of side pieces, 1 and 2, curved upward at their rear ends, as

at 3, and joined by an elevated rear cross-bar,

which is rounded on its upper and flat on its under surface, and the other ends of the side with a rounded depending rib or swell, 6, which projects a short distance below the horizontal plane 7 of the under side of the cross-bar and extends along the latter from one side piece to the other. The upper surface of the front cross-bar is uniformly curved around its inner edge, as at 8, and such curve terminates or vanishes in the depending rib or swell-bearing 6, whereby the entire bearing-surfaces of the cross-bar present a uniformly curved or rounded support to the adjustable end of the strap, and any abrupt or sharpened edges to oppose the movements of the strap through the buckle-frame are entirely avoided. By this means all liability of the strap being cut by the usual slightly abrupt corners at the inner edge of the front cross-bar is effectually prevented, and consequently the strap always presents a nice appearance, thereby permitting it to be faced with fine leather and suitably ornamented without liability of becoming cut or seriously injured by its adjustment through the buckle-frame. Further, by con structing the described parts integral, or in a single piece, I attain the advantages mentioned I usual, formed with depending ears or lugs 9,

' culiar curves 8 and transverse rib r swellbearing 6 projecting below the flat horizontal plane 7 on the under sides of the cross-bars. The provision of the curve 8 and rib or swellbearing 6 on the rear cross-bar prevents the inner edge thereof from cutting the permanently attached end portion of the strap'due to the constant vibrations and slight movements between the strap and buckle. Thedepending ribs or swell-bearings 6 not only perform the functions hcreinbet'ore set forth, but

they materially strengthen the cross-bars, and therefore render the buckles more substantial and durable, which is a desiderutum in cast iron buckles. The frame of the buckle in both examples i shown is cast integral with the cross-pin, as well as integral with the described curvcand depending rib or hearing, and consequently I attain the advantages mentioned. without in the least increasing the cost of manufacturing thebuckle.

What I claim is 1. As an improved article of manufacture, a buckle having its front cross-bar formed with a transverse rib or swell-bearing, 6, depending from the plane of the under side of the said cross-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

2. A buckle having the inner edge of its front cross-bar formed with a transverse rib or swell-bearing, 6, depending from the plane V of thennder side of the cross-bar, and with a uniformly-curved upper surface, 8, which terminates or vanishes in said rib or swell bearing, substantially as described.

3. A cast-iron buckle-frame formed integral with the front and rear cross-bars, the inner edge of the front bar being formed with a curved upper edge, 8, and a transverse rib or swell-bearing, 6, depending from the plane of the underside of the cross-bar, substantially as and (or the purposes described.

In testimony whereofI have hereunto set my hand' in the presence of two'subscribing wit- WM. B. HAYDEN. Witnesses:

. W. R. DAWSON,

.D. T. MONAGIITEN. 

